I am trying to get the best possible prices on flights to Europe, this summer, since there are 6 of us traveling. I found a flight from Chicago to Istanbal, that is $200 cheaper than flying directly to Rome. The flight has a connection in Rome, so is it possible to not get on the connecting flight from Rome to Istanbal. Do we go through customs in Rome or Istanbal. I realize that we would have to take carryon luggage other wise our bags would end up in Istanbal:) We are returning to Chicago from Barcelona, so that also would not be an issue.
My main question is whether it is possible to make ROme our final destination and skip going to Istanbal?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Not enough information for a short reply. Is the flight from Barcelona to Chicago on the same ticket/airline/partner as the outbound flight? Regarding customs: if you go all the way to Istanbul, that's where you hit customs; if you hop off in Rome, then you go through customs there.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23572 posts
The airline thinks that is cheating. So, as soon as you miss the second leg, Rome to Istanbul, the balance of your ticket is cancelled. So when you show in Barcelona they will have no record of your return flight. Easier ways to save $200.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
No, you can't do that. If you do, you will forfeit any other sectors of your ticket.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8308 posts
It looks like the Turks are getting aggressive with pricing through Istanbul going to Europe and back through Istanbul before returning to the U.S. You'll have to figure out if the price is worth the extra hours the route requires. I hear that the Turkish airline is flying very nice planes, and they treat flyers very, very well. Too bad they don't allow you to stayover a couple of days like Icelandic Airlines allow.
I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't have to go through customs in Europe initially.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23572 posts
If in transit with the same airline on one ticket then you do not do through customs until final destination which would be Turkey. No reason to go through immigrations or customs in Rome since you are not entering Italy. A different situation if using two separate tickets but that was not the question.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4085 posts
David is right about Turkish, which is expanding international routes with a glossy TV advertising campaign featuring two of the world's greatest sports stars, Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant. Even without the endorsement I would not hesitate to fly with the airline.